The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Storm

  • A Warning

    “Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire”

    Isaiah 29:6

    God often uses the weather to speak. “Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire” (Isaiah 29:6). Sometimes God visits man with thunder, earthquake, or storms. He may even send droughts.

    There is one memorable time where God dwelt with His people through a three and a half year drought. It was in the days of King Ahab and Jezebel (see 1 Kings 17-18). God sent Elijah to warn King Ahab. This even culminated in a memorable event on Mount Carmel. Consider a few of the people involved.

    Elijah was a great prophet of the Lord. He was vocal for God.

    King Ahab and Jezebel (his wife) were wicked and worshiped Baal (see 1 Kings 16:30-33). Ahab said Elijah was a trouble maker, but Ahab was the one who troubled Israel (see 1 Kings 18:17-18).

    There was a man named Obadiah, who was a compromiser (see 1 Kings 18:3-6). Obadiah feared the Lord, but he was a servant of wicked King Ahab. During this great drought, Obadiah was looking for grass. No mention of prayer in repentance or asking God for rain. Instead, he was just trying to survive. No one knew that he served the Lord but those men he hid. When Elijah met him, Obadiah had to explain to Elijah that he feared the Lord. Elijah told Obadiah to deliver a message to King Ahab, and Obadiah reluctantly obeyed (see 1 Kings 18:7-16).

    Notice the state of the Isrelites. They appeared confused (see 1 Kings 18:19-21). When Elijah asked the question, who is God – the people had no answer. It was as if they did not know enough about God to know that He is God.

    Elijah presented a challenge (see 1 Kings 18:22-35), and whoever answered by fire is the true God.

    After the prophets of Baal had their opportunity, Elijah restored the broken down alter of the Lord and prepared the burnt sacrifice. When it came time for the evening sacrifice, Elijah prayed. “36. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again” (1 Kings 18:36-37). God answered with fire from heaven. “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” (1 Kings 18:38). The fire consumed the sacrifice, the water, the wood and the stones. When the fire fell, the people believed and declared God was the God. It wasn’t until then that the people recognized God is the God (see 1 Kings 18:39).

    With this response (and the destruction of the prophets of Baal by death), God told Elijah to pray for rain. Elijah prayed, and God sent the rain. The drought ended.

    Remembering that God often uses the weather to speak, consider the following.

    Living in the capital of Tornado Alley can be interesting at times. Often the weather is volatile, and ever changing. Late one night, ripe tornado conditions appeared. It was later declared an EF-3 tornado that traveled about 24 miles, right through a town. In a populated area, this can cause tremendous damage and death. Although this tornado struck in the middle of the night, passing through town, there were only two lives lost in this storm. Surveying the damage the next day, one could notice that although it was extremely damaging, many of the monstrous trees missed or only clipped homes and property. Although there were several homes, churches, and businesses damaged. a majority of those huge trees were just blown over. Some were only stripped of leaves and limbs while still standing. Yes, the power lines that were taken out and the utility poles that were destroyed were many. Yet, even though this tornado was disastrous, it could have been so much worse.

    After this, I was reminded that God does use the storms. God often sends a warning. He gives people the opportunity to acknowledge Him, and to respond in repentance before He sends catastrophic judgment. Remember that God sent Jonah to warn Nineveh of pending doom because of their wickedness before God. The entire city repented, and God turned from the wrath they deserved because of that repentance. About one hundred years later, the people of Nineveh forgot God. Read the following verses from the book of Nahum: “3. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet… 6. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. 7. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him” (Nahum 1:2-7). The book of Nahum was written to proclaim judgment upon Nineveh for turning away from God.

    “26. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27).

    To which person can you identify:

    • are you vocal for God (like Elijah)
    • are you wicked and a troubler (like Ahab and Jezebel)
    • are you a compromiser, who has to explain you fear God (like Obadiah)
    • are you confused, not knowing who God is (like the Isralites)

    Do you recognize God’s warnings for repentance in your life, turning and avoiding His judgment?

  • Faith Comes by Hearing

    “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
    Romans 10:17

    After much healing and preaching, Jesus sent the multitude away. “35. And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. 36. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. 37. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:35-38). First, recognize Jesus told them to pass over to the other side. They should have had confidence that they would make it, because Jesus told them they would. Next, see that they should not have worried because Jesus was with them. This can be seen as a practical test to see if they had learned anything that Jesus had been teaching them. How did they fare? We find these seasoned fishermen afraid in a storm.

    Jesus slept on the ship – even when a storm arose. The disciples were fearful and woke Jesus. “39. And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? 41. And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:39-41). Jesus rebuked the storm, and it ceased. Jesus then questioned the disciples. How could they be so afraid? Understand that their lack of faith caused them to fear. Faith here means “in an absolute sense of Jesus as the Son of God, the Messiah and Savior.” Jesus wanted to know why they had no faith. After all the things the disciples had witnessed and learned, they still needed to know more. They still did not understand Jesus is God. There is an important verse that can help us understand what the disciples had not yet learned. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Jesus is the Word of God. Remember: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

    Most remember when Jesus fed the five thousand men plus women and children. As He was teaching, Jesus had compassion on them and because much time had passed, He fed them with the five loaves and two fishes (see Matthew 14:13-21). John tells us what the people’s reaction to this miracle was. “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone” (John 6:15). They wanted to force Jesus to become a king.

    Instead, Jesus sent the disciples in a ship across the sea where He would join them. Jesus went up on the mount to pray. “22. And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.” (Matthew 14:22-26). Remember, Jesus had told them to go to the other side before Him. When the disciples saw someone on the water, they were afraid.   

    “27. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32. And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.” (Matthew 14:27-33). Peter asked Jesus to call him onto the water to Him. Peter acted, in faith, when he heard Jesus. However, as Peter walked on the water, he became afraid. He still had more to learn. When he cried out, Jesus saved him. After these events, we see the disciples’ faith had grown. They now acknowledged that Jesus is the Son of God.   

    Do you read your Bible, hearing the Word of God, allowing your faith to grow?

  • The Just Shall Live by Faith

    “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
    Romans 1:17

    Have you ever been afraid?

    One cannot help but remember back to an event that took place in the Bible. Jesus had been going about preaching and healing many. The disciples who were with Him, recognized that he was a great teacher. They had witnessed many people come to Jesus with sicknesses that He healed. Jesus even healed Peter’s mother-in-law who had been sick. They saw many possessed with devils that Jesus cast out. Yet when these fishermen (who were used to being on the water) were in a ship in the sea and a storm arose, they were afraid. Yet Jesus was asleep in the ship. “25. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:25-27). Even these men who had witnessed Jesus do many great things were afraid in the storm! They did not yet understand just who Jesus was, and that He would take care of them. They had “little faith.”

    We can learn many things about the faith that is to be found in a Christian life. Is it good when one relies upon his own ability? “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). Each Christian is to learn to live his faith in Jesus. When we hear of the faith by which Christians are to live, what are we to do? “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). A Christian must “hold fast” to the things that are to be learned from the Bible. Once we learn these things and begin to live by them, what happens to that Christian life? “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). The righteousness of God is then revealed in that Christian’s life.

    Many Christians become afraid at some point. We do not see the preventions God has in place to hold the enemy (or things that cause us to fear) at bay; for these things can come so close and no further than God permits. God only allows some of these things to go so far in the affecting of our lives. He prevents many of these instances from reaching one who stays in the midst of the path God has for that Christian. Often times these occurrences are allowed to be there to test one’s faith (remember Job).

    Understand what happens if a Christian becomes fearful and does not move forward in their Christian walk by faith. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38). God is not pleased when a Christian does not continue forward in their Christian walk but draws back (this means they go into apostasy – forsaking the ways and truths of God’s Word).

    Once a Christian understands how to live and walk by faith, what will they have? “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). These things should help every Christian understand the importance of living by faith and not forsaking the teachings found in God’s Word. Why is it important to live by faith? “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

    Have you learned to trust God, not be afraid, and walk by faith?